Profile: The Wallaces

Rusty and Stephen Wallace
Nextel Cup Series and ARCA Series
Former driver No. 2 Dodge and No. 27 Dodge
Penske Racing and Rusty Wallace Inc.
Ages: 49 and 18
Resides: Mooresville, N.C.
Cup wins: 55

The Story

Much like Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace's drive toward retirement is seen among longtime NASCAR fans as the sad end of a racing era. Wallace doesn't see it that way. Instead, the end of his driving career is simply the beginning of the next Wallace legacy -- Stephen Wallace.

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Rusty Wallace grew up racing motorcycles and racecars in and around St. Louis, competing with little brothers Mike and Kenny while their mother and father handled logistics and finances.

In 2005, the Wallace family history is repeating itself. After an entire generation of Wallace kids cut their teeth in Legends Cars, Stephen has emerged as the candidate to continue the family tradition.

Already well-versed in multiple short track series, Wallace made his ARCA debut in the summer of 2005, only days after turning 18. He won that race. Now he is slated to make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Phoenix in November and is eyeing a full-time Busch Series ride in 2006.

Meanwhile, the Wallace family is supporting their next star the same way they rallied about the three brothers nearly three decades ago. Mike and Kenny can be seen frequently spotting and coaching their nephew around the track. Older brother Greg, a Wake Forest law student, handles Stephen's public relations and business dealings. And Dad is winding down his driving career in order to time out the development of his self-owned race team with development of his son's career.